Slipping and Rolling for an old heavyweight.

[WDSTK]

I was told by an amateur boxer in sparring today that my slips and rolls are too slow, and I should just practice head movement and parrying. I have been working for a while on the slips and rolls with footwork, so it was a surprise to me. He did say my ducking was OK. I do not want to waste time on defensive skills I suck at. The problem for me is that it goes better for me if I can press and get close. Seems you need slipping and rolling to press the attack. I am an old guy whose competitive days are over, but I want to improve. It is a hobby for me that keeps me young in spirit, plus the health benefits. Not going to defend my choice for exercise. I know I can never best most of these boxers in sparring, but I will still want to get better and learn from each sparring experience. Therefore, I want to only emphasize effective defensive skills in the sparring sessions. I normally spar lightly 1 round after every class. What defensive skills should I focus on, and what should I drop? I guess from a self-defense standpoint, the rolls and slips can be eliminated but I would like to have them when I spar. Going to continue to get older and slower so that needs to be considered in what techniques I keep and those I drop. I want longevity in the boxing skills I train in. I was going to ask my coach, but I want to be educated first by any qualified Sherdogger before I discuss it with them. Any ideas on what type of boxer, like naming a famous pro (maybe on the slow short side), that I should study? Any videos to study? Thinking maybe to switch to Muay Thai as less emphasis on slipping and rolling but my kicks are slow and low so won't do me much good in a defensive situation. Boxing for me is better for that. Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[shunyata]

We've never seen your tape. I'd trust the coaches and boxers in your gym and try to implement what they're telling you.

 

[Intermission]

I was told by an amateur boxer in sparring today that my slips and rolls are too slow, and I should just practice head movement and parrying. I have been working for a while on the slips and rolls with footwork, so it was a surprise to me. He did say my ducking was OK. I do not want to waste time on defensive skills I suck at. The problem for me is that it goes better for me if I can press and get close. Seems you need slipping and rolling to press the attack. I am an old guy whose competitive days are over, but I want to improve. It is a hobby for me that keeps me young in spirit, plus the health benefits. Not going to defend my choice for exercise. I know I can never best most of these boxers in sparring, but I will still want to get better and learn from each sparring experience. Therefore, I want to only emphasize effective defensive skills in the sparring sessions. I normally spar lightly 1 round after every class. What defensive skills should I focus on, and what should I drop? I guess from a self-defense standpoint, the rolls and slips can be eliminated but I would like to have them when I spar. Going to continue to get older and slower so that needs to be considered in what techniques I keep and those I drop. I want longevity in the boxing skills I train in. I was going to ask my coach, but I want to be educated first by any qualified Sherdogger before I discuss it with them. Any ideas on what type of boxer, like naming a famous pro (maybe on the slow short side), that I should study? Any videos to study? Thinking maybe to switch to Muay Thai as less emphasis on slipping and rolling but my kicks are slow and low so won't do me much good in a defensive situation. Boxing for me is better for that. Thanks in advance for any replies.

Best defence is offense,especially when there is large skill disparity. Most likely it doesn't matter what you do.

 

[Stoic1]

Speed is the first thing to go. Not much you can about that other than train hard so it fades rather than drops off. Truth is if you are 50+ you aren't gonna be competitive with amateurs. Best you can do is make them fear your power and DGAF attitude.

I've noticed that my head movement and footwork are not what they used to be 20 years ago. It is what it is. I also don't pivot much or use much lateral movement. I plod forward and rarely step back. It isnt that I don't know what to do, its that I cannot do it fast enough to avoid the strikes. So chin down and elbows in.

I'd echo what the previous posters say, talk with your coaches and when your defense is failing push the offense.

 

[Pancake Sprawl]

you can be aggressive without having to slip and roll. guys like George Foreman didn't slip and roll and were quite aggressive. long guard, cross arm guard, hand fighting, a whole lot of pushing and shoving, and you too can bully people around the ring being slow. since your body is old and slow, you need your mind to be faster. like setting up your defense for a punch you know is coming because you either are baiting them into throwing it or you know they like to throw it. you can no longer rely on reactionary defense, you must be proactive in things like shutting down punching lanes etc.,